Chapter Text
Runaway Boys - Stray Cats
The air was cold as you walked back to your neighborhood from the party. You were still holding a red solo cup and taking sips of the mixture of whiskey and cola as you stepped.
It was your first night back in Tulsa; The last couple years had been a whirlwind (or actually, a shit show) so, hell, you went to a party that a friend told you was happening– you figured that you deserved a nice night. You smiled to yourself as you thought about how you got to see the familiar faces of friends you’ve missed the past couple of years: Evie, Angela…
Your thoughts were interrupted as you noticed headlights slowing down next to you.
Fuck, you didn’t miss this…
You downed what was left in the plastic cup and crushed it in your hand, throwing it to the floor as the car stopped. A mustang.
“Take a look boys, we got lucky tonight.” the driver spoke. “What’s a little grease like you doing walking by your lonesome this late?” he continued.
Drunk ass, you thought to yourself. If we’re being honest, you were scared, but you definitely weren’t about to let them have the satisfaction of knowing that. You did an eye roll and kept walking, trying to ignore their presence.
“Hey! I’m talkin’ to you!” The boy slurred as he and three others got out of the car.
Soon, you were surrounded, their bodies getting closer all around you.
“Leave me alone.” You said sternly.
“I don’t want to.” The one in front said. You smelled the alcohol on his breath as he pulled in closer.
“Let’s have some fun.” The soc tugged at your clothes.
You pushed away with all your strength.
“I said get away from me!” You yelled and spat in the boy's face.
“You little shit!” He was angry. You got shoved to the concrete by the surrounding boys.
“Hey!” A man yelled from the distance.
You felt the bodies on top of you get pulled away. After, you heard punches being thrown and several obscenities being exchanged. This was followed by sounds of running and the car peeling away. You sighed in relief, still on the ground with your heart pounding out your chest.
“And stay on your side of fuckin’ town!” The male voice said.
“Well, look who decided to come back to bumfuck.” Your savior extended his hand out to you and helped you get back up. You smiled.
“Winston! How’ve you been?” You greeted your old friend.
“Fine, same old shit. When did you get back?”
“Today.” You replied.
He scoffed. “And already having to get your ass scraped off the street.”
“Since when do socs hang in this neighborhood? I thought I’d be square.” You replied honestly.
“Nah, the socs problems’ve gone from bad to worse since you’ve been gone. Can’t let your guard down.”
“Yeah, yeah. Listen, I can hold my own, you know, so don’t worry about it.” You swatted away the dirt off your bottoms and adjusted your top.
“Yeah, I know, kid.” Dallas looked you in the eye. You looked down.
He continued, “So what? You back for good? Stayin’ with your folks?”
“Yeah.” You said, “Missed it… So, do me a favor then, Dal. Walk me?” You tried to ask in your most pleasant voice.
“Kick rocks, y/n. I’m headin’ to Darry’s.” He responded, starting to walk away.
“Wait up, I’ll come with!” You said as you stepped faster to catch up.
Dally rolled his eyes and lit up a smoke.
“Lemme bum a stoge?”
“I don’t like you smoking.” He replied. He cupped his hand and lit another stick a flame, handing you it.
You both continued catching up as you walked, blowing smoke O’s in between. Soon, you reached the Curtis house. You felt butterflies in your stomach, excited to reunite with more old friends. Dallas opened the door and went in first as you trailed behind him.
“Brought y’all somethin’.” Dallas said, stepping in.
You walked into the house you remembered from years before. There was a scene of boys wrestling on the floor, television on, beer bottles scattered, and the sound of a rockabilly tune muffled on the radio.
“You’re cheatin’, Two!” The small boy wheezed from underneath the body on top of him.
“Aww, c’mon Ponyboy, you really gonna let him do ya in like that?” You said, smiling.
Both boys stopped rough housing to look up at you.
“Y/n?” Ponyboy sounded as if he was in disbelief. You smiled back as he got up and gave you a gentle hug. You looked over at some of the rest of the boys sitting on the couch of the living room.
“Hey y’all.” You gave them a wave.
“Good to see ya, y/n.” Soda said as he got up and gave you a pat on the back. “Here, sit, I’ll go get Dar.” He said, gesturing to you to take his spot on the couch.
You looked over at the rest of the boys. You recognized some of them, but your memory was a little hazy from the years. Pony seemed to notice your confusion.
“This is Two-Bit” Pony said pointing to the man previously suffocating him.
“Yeah, Mathews, right? I remember.” You said pointing to him, wagging your finger.
“And Steve, and that’s Johnny.” Pony continued to introduce the boys.
You glaze over their faces and stop, meeting eyes with the one closest to the edge. His brown iris met yours. Johnny, huh? Alright.